At just 17 years old, amateur sensation Mia Hammond of New Albany, Ohio, captured headlines and hearts this past weekend by winning the inaugural Greater Toledo Classic, an official Epson Tour event held at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio–the site she knows intimately from previous amateur play.
Hammond achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming only the eighth amateur ever to win on the LPGA’s official developmental circuit, following in the footsteps of Sarah White in 2020. Her victory was even more dramatic given that she entered the tournament via a sponsor exemption, and she did it in her home state. The win marked a turning point for a young player balancing high school, college ambitions, and a burgeoning golf career.
“If you would have told me two years ago that I was going to win this event, I would have told you you were stupid and probably just walked away, to be honest,” Hammond said. “I’ve come a long way in those two years. I’ve matured a lot as a person. And it’s just super special to be back in this place and somewhere that means so much to me.”
Storm Delays, Bogey‑Free Brilliance, and Emotional Peaks
The tournament’s first two rounds were marred by weather delays and darkness. Yet Hammond somehow navigated the chaos, finishing each round just before play was suspended–first by a horn due to darkness, then by storms.
On the course, she was unflappable. Hammond shot consecutive bogey‑free 66s on Friday and Saturday, vaulting into the 54‑hole finale with a three‑shot lead over Japanese rookie Erika Hara, who had emerged as the pre‑event favorite.
By Sunday, the narrative took an emotional turn. After piling up 11 birdies, Hammond made her first bogey on hole 7, only to birdie hole 9 to regain momentum. A crucial birdie on hole 15 widened her lead. Although she dropped a stroke on 16, she kept her composure–displaying poise well beyond her years.
Birdie on 18 Seals the Deal
As the closing stretch unfolded, Amanda Doherty, Yue Ren, and Erika Hara all birdied the final hole to tie Hammond at 11 under par, setting up a dramatic finish. On the reachable par‑5 18th, Hammond drove into the fairway then spun a precision approach onto the green, leaving herself around 45 feet for eagle. Her first putt narrowly missed, just a foot past, but the tap‑in birdie was enough to clinch the championship at 12 under par for the event (total 201 strokes).
She described the moment emotionally:
“It hasn’t set in yet, but it’s unreal,” Hammond said. “This week was a grind, I’ll admit, especially today, coming down the stretch. I’ve never cried like that on a course before, and it’s the most emotional I’ve felt in a very, very, very long time. First time I’ve ever cried happy tears, I’ll say that. It’s so surreal.”
Beyond the Trophy
This landmark victory isn’t merely a trophy; it’s a transformative milestone. Hammond becomes the eighth amateur ever to win on the Epson Tour, underscoring her elite potential and maturity under pressure. Her raw composure amid shifting conditions and a stacked professional field suggests a future poised for greatness.
In the coming week, Hammond will take part in the Four Winds Invitational in South Bend, Indiana–a full professional stage she’s eager to tackle: “I’m super excited … grateful for the opportunity again.”
Simultaneously, she heads into her senior year at New Albany High School. A verbal commitment to Duke University, where she plans to study pre‑law while pursuing collegiate golf, shows she’s building a dual path forward: academic rigor and athletic excellence.
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